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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






2. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






3. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






4. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






5. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






6. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






7. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






8. A reprise.






9. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






10. Repetition of a single tone.






11. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






12. The structure of a piece of music.






13. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






14. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






15. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






16. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






17. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






18. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






19. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






20. The unit of musical rhythm.






21. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






22. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






23. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






24. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






25. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






26. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






27. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






28. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






29. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






30. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






31. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






32. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






33. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






34. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






35. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






36. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






37. Unmusical - without tone.






38. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






39. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






40. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






41. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






42. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






43. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






44. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






45. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






46. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






47. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






48. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






49. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






50. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.